Program Overview

Information Systems, Bachelor of Science (B.S.)

The mission of the Bachelor of Science in Information Systems is to prepare students for successful careers as information systems professionals through a curriculum that combines technical computing knowledge, skills, and techniques with relevant business knowledge.

Program Educational Objectives

The major in information systems provides a curriculum in which:

• Graduates will demonstrate the ability to apply the most current technologies to support the secure delivery and management of information systems.
• Graduates will advance their careers through continuing education, professional development, and cultivating resilience.
• Graduates will have the knowledge, ability, and strategic skills to work effectively to support the information systems needs of the business community.

Student Learning Outcomes

Upon completing this program, students will have an ability to:

• Analyze a complex computing problem and to apply principles of computing and other relevant disciplines to identify solutions
• Design, implement, and evaluate a computing-based solution to meet a given set of computing requirements in the context of the program's discipline
• Communicate effectively in a variety of professional contexts
• Recognize professional responsibilities and make informed judgments in computing practice based on legal and ethical principles
• Function effectively as a member or leader of a team engaged in activities appropriate to the program's discipline
• Support the delivery, use, and management of information systems within an information systems environment

Special Requirements

The admission requirements for the School of Business detail the deadlines and other requirements for students to be admitted to one of these major programs of study. The following courses must be completed before the student may declare a specific business major:

• ACCT 203, ACCT 204, BUSN 201 or BUSN 205, BUSN 212 or MATH 200, BUSN 225, ECON 210, ECON 211, UNIV 111, UNIV 112, and UNIV 200.

Degree Requirements for Information Systems, Bachelor of Science (B.S.)

• General education: Select 30 credits of general education courses in consultation with an adviser.
• Major requirements:
  • Major core requirements:
    • INFO 300: Information Technology Infrastructure
    • INFO 320: Artificial Intelligence for Business Intelligence
    • INFO 350: Intermediate Programming
    • INFO 361: Systems Analysis and Design
    • INFO 364: Database Systems
    • INFO 370: Fundamentals of Data Communications
    • INFO 465: Projects in Information Systems
  • Major electives: Select courses from the list below.
• Ancillary requirements:
  • Ancillary core requirements:
    • ACCT 203 & ACCT 204: Introduction to Accounting I and Introduction to Accounting II
    • BUSN 225: Winning Presentations
    • BUSN 301: Career and Professional Development
    • BUSN 499: Business Knowledge Exam
    • ECON 210: Principles of Microeconomics
    • ECON 211: Principles of Macroeconomics
    • FIRE 311: Financial Management
    • INFO 202: Introduction to Information Systems Development Technologies
    • INFO 360: Business Information Systems
    • MATH 211: Mathematical Structures
    • MKTG 301: Marketing Principles
    • MGMT 303: Creativity and Ideation
    • MGMT 310: Managing People in Organizations
    • MGMT 434: Strategic Management
    • SCMA 301: Business Statistics I
    • SCMA 320: Production/Operations Management
  • Additional ancillary requirements:
    • BUSN 201 or BUSN 205: Foundations of Business or Introduction to the World of Business
    • BUSN 212 or MATH 200: Business Problem Solving and Analysis or Calculus with Analytic Geometry I
    • BUSN 323 or FIRE 325 or FIRE 459: Legal Environment of Business or Real Estate Law or Insurance Law
• Open electives: Select any courses.

Total Hours

The minimum number of credit hours required for this degree is 120.

Major Electives

Course options include:

• BUSN 400 & BUSN 401: Principles of Consulting and International Consulting Practicum
• INFO 450: Programming for Business Analytics
• INFO 451: Advanced Technology for Web Development
• INFO 452: AI Services for Business
• INFO 462: Design of AI Systems
• INFO 463: Business Process Engineering
• INFO 468: Information Engineering
• INFO 472: Infrastructure Services
• INFO 474: Advanced Networking and Security
• INFO 481: Information Technology Auditing
• INFO 482: Introduction to Enterprise Resource Planning Systems
• INFO 491: Topics in Information Systems
• INFO 492: Independent Study in Information Systems
• INFO 493: Internship in Information Systems
• INFO 511: Data Reengineering
• INFO 532: Business Process Reengineering
• SCMA 430: Data Management and Visualization
• SCMA 440: Data Mining and Forecasting

Recommended Course Sequence/Plan of Study

A sample plan that meets the prescribed requirements within a four-year course of study at VCU is provided. Please contact your adviser before beginning course work toward a degree.

Accelerated B.S. and M.S.

The accelerated B.S. and M.S. program allows qualified students to earn both the B.S. and M.S. in Information Systems in a minimum of five years by completing approved graduate courses during the senior year of their undergraduate program.

Entrance to the Accelerated Program

Interested undergraduate students should consult with their adviser as early as possible to receive specific information about the accelerated program, determine academic eligibility, and submit an Accelerated Program Declaration Form to be approved by the graduate program director.

Admission to the Graduate Program

Entrance to the accelerated program enables the student to take the approved shared courses that will apply to the undergraduate and graduate degrees. However, entry into an accelerated program via an approved Accelerated Program Declaration Form does not constitute application or admission into the graduate program.

Degree Requirements

The Bachelor of Science in Information Systems degree will be awarded upon completion of a minimum of 121 credits and the satisfactory completion of all undergraduate degree requirements as stated in the Undergraduate Bulletin.

Recommended Course Sequence/Plan of Study for Accelerated Program

What follows is the recommended plan of study for students interested in the accelerated program beginning in the fall of the junior year prior to admission to the accelerated program in the senior year.